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The smell problem seems to have resolved as the patina has built up. It's actually got more of a smell when it's being washed than when it's being used. Makes me wonder about the chemistry involved. Isn't the sense of smell triggered by molecular interaction with the olefactory receptors? If so, something volatile is causing the stink.

By using your calibrated fingernail comparator. if it goes bumpity bump (thats a technical term) then it is probably etched deep. I was wondering if maybe the residual etchant or oxides might be causing the stink. Someone recently made a comment that deeply etched damascus might cause some food sticking, so I just assumed that folks on here knew what deeply etched damascus looked like.

It's a filet knife.
@*******: In order to make that call, you'd have to have some basis for comparison. Unless you are a knifemaker, hang out with knifemakers, or own (or have seen) multiple etching jobs, not that many folks are going to have a great idea of how to judge the depth of an etch.